Relaxed pilot duty time rules to be fully implemented by November 1: DGCA

NEW DELHI: India will by Saturday (Nov 1) implement relaxed flight duty time rules for pilots to ensure that the cockpit crew operating flights are not fatigued, giving an impetus to flight safety. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Wednesday said the seven remaining clauses of the revised “flight duty time limitations” (FDTL) will be implemented from Nov 1. Fifteen clauses of the relaxed rules were implemented on July 1, 2025.Pilots of big Indian carriers had long complained about their punishing rosters that left them fatigued. They have long warned that having a fatigued pilots in the flight deck adversely impacts safety.